Ricciardo discusses benefit of potential Supercars cameo

Daniel Ricciardo didn’t rule out of the potential benefits of a one-off Supercars appearance to stay sharp.

Ricciardo will depart McLaren’s Formula 1 team at season’s end.

The Australian has been linked to a Reserve Driver role with Mercedes or Red Bull for 2023.

Should that eventuate, he could remain in the frame for an F1 return in 2024.

Ricciardo, a veteran of over 200 Grands Prix, has little interest of a full-time seat in any other racing category in 2023.

The Perth-born driver previously drove a Supercar — Rick Kelly’s Nissan Altima at Calder Park — in 2019.

Ricciardo steered Kelly’s Nissan in the lead-up to the 2019 Australian Grand Prix.

He also drove Triple Eight’s Sandman Commodore at Sandown in 2016.

Earlier this year, Ricciardo also revealed interest in the Bathurst 12 Hour.

Ricciardo’s current employer McLaren has alignment with Walkinshaw Andretti United through Zak Brown.

Brown is McLaren’s CEO and is part-owner of WAU, which will revert to Ford in 2023.

Speaking to assembled media in Brazil, Ricciardo said: "I guess I need to wait to see where I land next year.

"Then it comes to a question of what am I allowed to do.

"But ultimately if I feel like doing a one-off will benefit me and keep me sharp then it’s something I will potentially look into.

"I’m kind of like F1 is so different from a touring car, I don’t know if it would distance me [from F1] more. That’s what I would need to work out, though.

"I don’t want to say no yet to anything but ideally I get some days in an F1 car as opposed to getting a seat somewhere else."

Last year, Ricciardo told GP Racing magazine of his desire to race at Mount Panorama.

"I need to drive a Supercar around Bathurst," he said.

"Whether it’s a private test, or the actual race, I do need to do it."

Ricciardo added that giving himself time to reset, rather than chasing a 2023 seat, could help his chances of an F1 comeback.

Ricciardo with Kelly in 2019

"If I was to be back on the grid in 2024, this has the biggest upside in terms of I know I’ll be a better version of myself," he said.

"I think the risk is jumping into a seat next year… nothing’s guaranteed in terms of performance.

"I don’t want this to be my last two races in F1, but if it is then I accept that could be an outcome.

"Doing what I’m doing will prepare me for the best version of myself if I do get the opportunity.

"I think it’s one where if I get the opportunity I don’t want to be Daniel operating at 95 per cent, I want to be fully charged."

The 2022 F1 season will conclude with races in Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

The Repco Supercars Championship will end at the VALO Adelaide 500 in December 1-4.